WASHINGTON, DC . . .  Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) joined a House Majority today in passing H.R. 2401, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts to the Nation (TRAIN) Act, a bill that will require an interagency committee to examine the economic impacts of regulations imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).    

“This vote seeks to curb this Administration’s over-reaching regulatory policies that are crippling our economy and costing American jobs,” Hall said.  “The President keeps talking about creating jobs – but the single most important action he could take would be to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory assault.” 

The TRAIN Act calls for experts from the Departments of Commerce and Treasury, and the U.S. International Trade Commission, to analyze major rules issued or proposed by the EPA and determine what impact these could have on American manufacturing, global competitiveness, energy prices, and jobs.

“In keeping with this thrust, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology – which I chair – has been holding hearings to review the scientific, procedural, and technical basis for these rules.  Last week we examined the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule that is another example of putting bad politics ahead of good science without regard to economics,”  Hall said.

“Issuing a rule forcing major installation of pollution control equipment and expecting States to comply with it five months later is unheard of, even by EPA’s previous track record,” Hall noted.  “This ruling has resulted in the announcement that Luminant would close its Monticello power plant in Mt. Pleasant, resulting in the loss of 500 jobs.  Other consequences could be rotating power outages and double-digit increases in electricity prices.  And this is happening all across the country. 

“I will continue to hold oversight hearings to highlight the EPA’s flawed policies and demand the release of data and processes that were used in the EPA’s rule-makings,” Hall said. “In these difficult economic times, Washington's focus must be on growing the economy and creating jobs.  If Congress can alleviate some of the regulatory burdens imposed by the EPA, American businesses and consumers can be allowed the freedom to once again maximize their potential.”  

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